CHAPEL HILL — The North Carolina football team returns to action after a bye week, hosting Florida State for the first-ever Thursday night game at Kenan Stadium (8 p.m., ESPN).

Both UNC (4-2, 0-2 ACC) and FSU (2-4, 0-3) will be searching for their first conference victory in the first meeting between the teams since 2004.

The Tar Heels defeated Georgia Southern 42-12 in their most recent game, and they hope to sustain that momentum against the Seminoles. UNC’s defense is ranked third in the nation, but they’ll be facing the top offense in the conference led by FSU quarterback Christian Ponder.

The Tar Heels said they are excited to play tonight’s game under the lights, and they’ve been anxious to get on the field for past week and a half.

“It’s kind of got a different feel to it,” UNC quarterback T.J. Yates said. “[There’s] a little bit something different in the air because it’s a Thursday night and everybody in the nation’s watching. It’s the only game on TV so it’s going to be exciting.”